Congratulations! You made it! You survived and excelled in your student teaching. You are now a science teacher! If you would, take a few minutes to share your wisdom about how to negotiate this difficult year with the students who are following in your footsteps by answering the following questions.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
First thing that is beneficial to having a great student teaching experience is becoming friendly with the cooperating teacher. It is extremely important to have a great relationship with your CT because they are the ones that you are spending your entire day with. Always be friendly, Always be respectful and Always be enthusiastic about your student teaching experience.
It is extremely important to know the students names, If you can learn the students names before you get in front of the classroom it is a huge plus. It is much easier to discipline students when you know their names.
Ask your CT if it is possible if you taught a class before you actually began your student teaching. You can give the students an overview of how long you will be with them and where you go to school. This will also take away some of the nerves from that first day of student teaching!!
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
Dr Fogleman does a great job giving the class little tips throughout the school year that will help you get through the school day. My advice to you is to listen and record these ideas this way you can implement them in your classroom.
Another topic that is covered in 430 which is extremely important is trying to create inquiry activities that help you teach for understanding. When you are in your student teaching placement if you do an inquiry activity your CT will be extremely impressed. Inquiry activities are the new wave of science lessons and are extremely beneficial for the students.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have done a better job during student teaching if I had ...."
First off I would try to figure out exactly what it is that you will be teaching during your 7 week span at both schools. I was kind of shy and afraid to ask my CT which lead to me creating a whole unit on the Changing Earth that didn't end up using. It was not a complete waste of time because it did help me learn how to properly write lesson plans, but I wish the unit i did in EDC 430 was the unit I taught in my time at the schools.
Another tip is to always be prepared because as soon as you give a lab test or project, you will be spending many hours grading these assignments. It is important to be prepared for multiple weeks this way when you have a ton of grading to do, you only have that grading, you don't have to be planning and grading at the same time.
I would definitely think of a system that will allow you to keep track of students missing work, as well as work students need when they are absent. Many times in schools the first 10 minutes of class is wasted because students will be coming up and asking for the work which they have missed. If you have a system in place that cuts down on this situation then you will be in better shape.
Lastly always be EXTREMELY ORGANIZED!!!
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
If I were to say any wisdom to get you through your student teaching, it would be to stay organized, stay friendly, and always remember that no matter how difficult these 14 weeks may feel, It is going to make you a better teacher. After these 14 weeks you will be done with the University of Rhode Island and out in the rel world. Enjoy your student teaching, always be prepared for the week ahead and ready to enhance the students learning. Lastly keep in touch with your CT because you never know where a job may pop up and they may be willing to help you out if one appears in their district.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have done a better job during student teaching if I had ...."
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
If I were to say any wisdom to get you through your student teaching, it would be to stay organized, stay friendly, and always remember that no matter how difficult these 14 weeks may feel, It is going to make you a better teacher. After these 14 weeks you will be done with the University of Rhode Island and out in the rel world. Enjoy your student teaching, always be prepared for the week ahead and ready to enhance the students learning. Lastly keep in touch with your CT because you never know where a job may pop up and they may be willing to help you out if one appears in their district.